Navajo Nation Extends Emergency Declaration Through June 7

ACROSS ARIZONA— To minimize the spread of the coronavirus, the Navajo Nation has extended an executive order declaring a state of emergency and government closures through June 7. The current declaration was set to expire on May 17.

“The state of Arizona and others are reopening restaurants and other businesses, but here on the Navajo Nation the time isn’t right to do so. Based on the advice of our health care experts and the data, we will continue to take precautions until we see a consistent downward trend in the number of COVID-19 cases," Navajo Nation President Johnathan Nez said.

The Navajo Department of Health in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 41 new cases of COVID-19 for the Navajo Nation and a total of 103 deaths as of Tuesday. Tribal health officials said the number of positive COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation has reached 3,245, many of whom have recovered or are in the process of recovering from the virus.

The Navajo Nation covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.

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